Lou Filipovich, one of San Leandro’s most outspoken and politically active citizens, has passed away at the age of 90.

Born in Oakland in 1922, Filipovich died on Jan. 21 from a heart attack, according to his wife Katherine.

Filipovich graduated from Castlemont High School in Oakland and then started his own trucking business. He and Katherine married in 1949 and moved to San Leandro in 1957.

Filipovich was a presence at innumerable city meetings, where he never hesitated to speak his mind.

Even on routine matters where there would be no comment from the City Council, Filipovich could be counted on to take the podium during the public speaking portion of the meeting. He would have something to say about just about any issue from schools to street sweeping.

“He just always had an idea of the way things should be done and wanted people to do the right thing,” said Katherine Filipovich, who said her husband’s interest in politics began in his youth. “He always wanted get things started.”

For over 20 years, Filipovich ran in just about every race for political office, including numerous attempts at the District 4 San Leandro City Council seat, the mayor’s office, the Oro Loma Sanitary Distinct board, and the state assembly.

Mayor Stephen Cassidy said that he and Filipovich did not often see eye-to-eye politically, but he always respected Filipovich’s passion for what was happening in San Leandro. Cassidy said that he liked the way Filipovich would often end his comments by asking the City Council. “How much is it going to cost and who is going to pay for it?”

“While we disagreed on many political issues, Lou cared for our community,” said Cassidy.

In 2006, Filipovich ran as the Republican candidate for state senate in District 10 and got over 25 percent of the vote, but lost to Ellen Corbett. In that same election, he also ran for mayor of San Leandro and Alameda County supervisor but came up short. Still, he never stopped running and being politically active.

“I want him to be remembered as someone who cared a lot about what was happening in the city,” said Katherine Filipovich.